horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms of horrific

• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• frightening

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Blichfeldt’s vision begins to lose its impact as the film wears on, her bold take, combined with Myren’s commitment to the bit and, again, that horrific tapeworm, really carry it across the finish line. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

The texts on her phone, as detailed by a criminal complaint, were horrific. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

Casap may never change after ‘horrific’ crimes First-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence. —Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

In the final season of Handmaid’s Tale, Lydia grew increasingly disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the ruling elites, and she was finally forced to accept the horrific reality of her role in Gilead. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific